When the air is set up for thunderstorm activity that can reach limits severe enough to produce a tornado, we then hear about tornado watches and tornado warnings. A �tornado watch� simply means that conditions in the air are favorable for the outbreak of tornadoes. When a �tornado warning� is announced, a tornado has actually been spotted.
This is the time to take both action and cover:
If you are in a house with a basement, go immediately to it. Stay away from windows. Perhaps you can go in the bathroom and shut the door.Get in your bathtub and lie down. If you live in a mobile home it is best to seek safety somewhere else during the tornado �watch.� However, NEVER get into your car and try to outrun a tornado.If your home does not have a basement, get under a large piece of furniture, and again, remember to cover your head and neck with your arms or hold onto the table above your head.
If you are in a car, get out of it and immediately take shelter in a nearby dwelling. If there is not one near you, lie flat in a ditch, protecting your head. Be sure you are �away� from your car. If there is no ditch, simply lie flat.
Always STAY ALERT at the onset of any thunderstorm and/or tornado watch. You are more likely to survive a tornado when you remain aware of what is going on around you. Stay inside.
Most deaths are caused by flying debris. Some deaths are caused by those who do not take heed of the warnings issued, and other deaths are caused by those persons that ignore them, and think thoughts like, �This is something you read in the newspaper, not something that happens to me.�
Protect yourself when the sky is blue. Always have on hand flashlights, with extra batteries, a first aid kit, extra food and water, medicines that you need, and a manual can opener. These items should be within your reach after tornadoes, or during and after any other natural disaster for that matter.